Virtual reality video reproduction apparatus, and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention has an object to provide a virtual reality video reproduction apparatus that can allow a viewer to experience an impairment due to a disease, such as diabetes, with a strong sense of immersion. The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus of the present invention applies a filter process of simulating a visual impairment caused by diabetes to a predetermined area of images included in a virtual reality video that represents virtual reality content, and causes an electronic display included in a virtual reality headset to display the video.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/465,285 filed Sep. 2, 2021, which is a Continuation of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2020/004565 filed Feb. 6, 2020, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a virtual reality video reproductionapparatus, and a method of using the same, and more specifically, to avirtual reality video reproduction apparatus that provides an experienceof a visual impairment caused by diabetes through virtual reality, and amethod of using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

With widespread of the virtual reality (VR) technology, its applicationfield has been increasing. Also in the medical field, the virtualreality technology has been increasingly used. For example, there is asystem that simulates medical procedures in a virtual reality operatingroom for training a trainee, such as a doctor (Patent Literature 1). Thesystem is for simulating medical procedures in a virtual realityoperating room for training a trainee, and includes: a user inputdevice; a medical tool; a medical procedure simulation system thatreceives input from the user input device and the medical tool toexecute the simulation of the selected medical procedure; a virtualreality simulation system coupled to the medical procedure simulationsystem to render a virtual reality operating room scene that correspondsto the type of medical procedure to simulate, and the simulation of theselected medical procedure into a virtual reality scene; and a virtualreality headset coupled to the virtual reality simulation system forallowing the trainee to view the virtual reality scene. Accordingly, amedical simulator can provide a medical procedure simulation for thetrainee in virtual reality. The technology provides a medical proceduresimulation for a doctor trainee, and is recognized to have anadvantageous effect of being capable of improving the medical skills ofthe trainee. It is understood that when a patient gets a medical carefrom the trained doctor, the patient can get a more appropriate medicalcare for treatment.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1]

Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No.2019-537459

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

There are diseases that require patients or potential patients toabstain for the sake of treatment or prevention. For example, diabetesrequires improvement in a lifestyle habit, such as appropriate food andenforcement of exercise. However, this improvement is against instincts,such as appetite, or consumes vitality. Accordingly, the patients arerequired to abstain rigorously. Potential diabetes patients are alsorequired to abstain similarly for the sake of preventing diabetes fromdeveloping. To continuously execute such self-abstention for improving alifestyle habit, potential diabetes patients are required to bestrongly-minded. For achievement thereof, it is very important tostrongly motivate potential diabetes patients and the like to improve alifestyle habit. As part of treatment and the like, advice for improvinga lifestyle habit has been provided for potential diabetes patients andthe like by doctors and the like. Eventually, the advantageous effectsdepend on how the potential diabetes patients and the like are aware ofthe necessity for improving a lifestyle habit. Accordingly, simplyproviding the advice does not necessarily succeed. If a potentialdiabetes patient has developed diabetes or if the symptoms of a diabetespatient has been exacerbated, and then, even if the patient acutely ismade aware of the necessity of improving a lifestyle habit, the effectsof treatment are typically limited at the time because diabetes is achronic disease. Accordingly, taking preventive actions against diabetesis significantly important. As described above, as a measure againstdiseases, such as diabetes, requiring improvement in a lifestyle habitfor treatment and prevention, it is important to strongly motivatepotential patients to improve a lifestyle habit. However,conventionally, there is no technology usable for the sake of suchmotivating. The conventional technology described above providestrainees with a medical procedure simulation through virtual reality,but cannot be used for motivation for improving a lifestyle habit. Thevirtual reality technology strongly impresses viewers. However, thetechnology has never been used for motivation for improving a lifestylehabit for the sake of treatment and prevention of a chronic disease,such as diabetes. The augmented reality (AR) technology, which displaysinformation on a real scene in an overlaid manner, has been spreading.However, the augmented reality technology has not been used formotivation for improving a lifestyle habit for treatment and preventionof a chronic disease, such as diabetes.

Solution to Problem

A virtual reality video reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention has been achieved in view of the problems described above, andincludes: a memory that stores content data including virtual realitycontent; a virtual reality headset that includes an electronic displayfor displaying a video about the content data; a content reproducer thatgenerates a virtual reality video that represents the virtual realitycontent, from the content data; and a filter processor that executes afilter process of applying a predetermined image processing to apredetermined area of at least part of images of the virtual realityvideo generated, and causes the electronic display to display the video,wherein the filter process executes, as the predetermined imageprocessing, a simulation of visual impairments caused by diabetes.

The virtual reality content may be content for providing experience of asymptom of a visual impairment, or content describing a lifestyle habitfor preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatmenttherefor. That is, the virtual reality content may be patient experiencecontent taken in accordance with a scenario for providing experience ofa symptom of a visual impairment caused by diabetes, based on thevirtual reality video where the simulation of the visual impairment isexecuted. The virtual reality content may include lifestyle habitdescription content taken in accordance with a scenario describing alifestyle habit for preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof,or treatment therefor, after the patient experience content.

The present invention can also be configured to provide experience of avisual impairment through augmented reality (AR) by executing thesimulation of the visual impairment, for forward video picturesrepresenting a user's front scene taken by a camera, instead of thevirtual reality content. That is, the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus according to the present invention can be configured tofurther include a camera that obtains forward video pictures ahead ofthe virtual reality headset, wherein the content data includes patientexperience audio content that is audio content describing, by audio, avisual impairment caused by diabetes based on the forward video pictureswhere the simulation of the visual impairment is executed, the contentreproducer further reproduces the audio description from the patientexperience audio content, before reproduction of the virtual realitycontent, and the filter processor executes the simulation of the visualimpairment for a predetermined area of at least part of images of theforward video pictures instead of the virtual reality video. The virtualreality content may include lifestyle habit description content taken inaccordance with a scenario describing a lifestyle habit for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor. Thefilter process may execute the simulation in which an effect of thesimulation is enhanced to a predetermined intensity such that the visualimpairment starts and gradually develops to a predetermined degree.

The filter process according to the present invention can be configuredto execute simulations of various visual impairments. That is, thefilter process can be configured to execute the simulation of the visualimpairment of “loss”, by darkening the predetermined area of at leastpart of the images. The filter process can also be configured to executethe simulation of the visual impairment of “blearedness”, by blearingthe predetermined area of at least part of the images. The filterprocess can also be configured to execute the simulation of the visualimpairment of “blurredness”, by blurring the predetermined area of atleast part of the images. The filter process can also be configured toexecute the simulation of the visual impairment of “distortion”, bydistorting the predetermined area of at least part of the images.

The present invention can be achieved as a method for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, usingthe virtual reality video reproduction apparatus. The method forpreventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatmenttherefor can execute a simulation of a visual impairment, for virtualreality content. That is, the present invention may be a method of usinga virtual reality video reproduction apparatus, for preventing diabetes,preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus including: a virtual realityheadset that includes an electronic display for displaying a video aboutvirtual reality content; and a filter processor that executes a filterprocess of executing a simulation of visual impairments caused bydiabetes for a predetermined area of at least part of images of avirtual reality video representing the virtual reality content, andcauses the electronic display to display the video, wherein the methodincludes steps of: reproducing, accompanied by the filter process,patient experience content that is the virtual reality content taken inaccordance with a scenario for providing experience of a symptom ofvisual impairments caused by diabetes, based on the virtual realityvideo where the simulation of the visual impairments is executed, andcausing the electronic display to display the content. The method mayfurther comprise reproducing lifestyle habit description content that isthe virtual reality content taken in accordance with a scenariodescribing a lifestyle habit for preventing diabetes, preventingdevelopment thereof, or treatment therefor, after reproducing thepatient experience content, and causing the electronic display todisplay the content. In the method, the filter process may execute thesimulation in which an effect of the simulation is enhanced to apredetermined intensity such that the visual impairment starts andgradually develops to a predetermined degree.

In the method for preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof,or treatment therefor, the simulation of visual impairment can beconfigured to be executed for the forward video pictures representingthe user's front scene. That is, the present invention is a method ofusing a virtual reality video reproduction apparatus, for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, thevirtual reality video reproduction apparatus including: a virtualreality headset that includes a camera that obtains forward videopictures, and an electronic display for displaying the forward videopictures and a video about virtual reality content; and a filterprocessor that executes a filter process of executing a simulation ofvisual impairments caused by diabetes for a predetermined area of atleast part of images of the forward video pictures, and causes theelectronic display to display the video, wherein the method includessteps of: applying the filter process to the forward video pictures andcausing the electronic display to display the pictures, whilereproducing patient experience audio content that describes visualimpairments caused by diabetes, based on the forward video pictureswhere the simulation of visual impairments is executed. The method mayfurther comprise reproducing lifestyle habit description content that isthe virtual reality content taken in accordance with a scenariodescribing a lifestyle habit for preventing diabetes, preventingdevelopment thereof, or treatment therefor, after reproducing thepatient experience content, and causing the electronic display todisplay the content. In the method, the filter process may execute thesimulation in which an effect of the simulation is enhanced to apredetermined intensity such that the visual impairment starts andgradually develops to a predetermined degree.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention applies the filter process of simulating thevisual impairment caused by diabetes to the predetermined area of atleast part of the images of the virtual reality video representing thevirtual reality content, and causes the electronic display included inthe virtual reality headset to display the video. Accordingly, anadvantageous effect is exerted that allows a user viewing the virtualreality video to experience a visual impairment caused by diabetes witha sense of immersion, and can provide motivation for improving alifestyle habit. According to the present invention, the virtual realitycontent can be patient experience content taken in accordance with thescenario for providing experience of the symptom of visual impairmentcaused by diabetes, based on the virtual reality video where thesimulation of the visual impairment is executed. In this case, anadvantageous effect is exerted that allows the user to experience thevisual impairment that can be caused by a complication of diabetes inaccordance with the scenario of patient experience content with a strongsense of immersion. According to the present invention, the virtualreality content may include lifestyle habit description content taken inaccordance with the scenario describing a lifestyle habit for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, afterthe patient experience content. In this case, the user can be providedwith strong motivation that is for improving a lifestyle habit requiredfor treatment and prevention. According to the present invention, thefilter process may execute the simulation in which an effect of thesimulation is enhanced to a predetermined intensity such that the visualimpairment starts and gradually develops to a predetermined degree. Inthis case, unnaturalness due to abrupt occurrence of the visualimpairment after start of reproduction of the content can be resolved,and the user can be strongly impressed by seriousness of development ofthe symptom after start of the visual impairment.

The present invention can apply the filter process of simulating thevisual impairment caused by diabetes to the predetermined area of atleast part of the images of the forward video pictures taken by thecamera of the virtual reality headset that obtains the forward videopictures, and cause the electronic display included in the virtualreality headset to display the pictures. In this case, an advantageouseffect is exerted that can provide the user viewing the forward videopictures with experience of the visual impairment caused by diabeteswith a strong sense of immersion as their own experience throughaugmented reality.

The present invention can also be configured to execute a simulation ofa visual impairment caused by diabetes, for the virtual reality videothat represents virtual reality content, for the sake of preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, whilereproducing patient experience content for providing experience of asymptom of the visual impairment caused by diabetes, and subsequentlyreproduce lifestyle habit description content describing a lifestylehabit for preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, ortreatment therefor. In this case, an advantageous effect is exerted thatallows the user to experience the visual impairment caused by diabeteswith a sense of immersion, and can provide strong motivation that is forimproving a lifestyle habit required for treatment and prevention.

The present invention can also be configured to execute a simulation ofa visual impairment caused by diabetes, for the forward video picturestaken by the camera, for the sake of preventing diabetes, preventingdevelopment thereof, or treatment therefor, while reproducing patientexperience audio content describing a symptom of the visual impairmentcaused by diabetes, and subsequently reproduce lifestyle habitdescription content describing a lifestyle habit for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor throughvirtual reality. In this case, an advantageous effect is exerted thatcan provide the user with experience of the visual impairment caused bydiabetes with a strong sense of immersion through augmented reality, andprovide strong motivation that is for improving a lifestyle habitrequired for treatment and prevention through virtual reality

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a virtual realityvideo reproduction apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a virtual realityvideo reproduction apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic appearance of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic appearance of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation flow diagram of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation flow diagram of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows advantageous effects of a filter process for simulating avisual impairment of “loss”.

FIG. 8 shows advantageous effects of a filter process for simulating avisual impairment of “blearedness”.

FIG. 9 shows advantageous effects of a filter process for simulating avisual impairment of “blurredness”.

FIG. 10 shows advantageous effects of a filter process for simulating avisual impairment of “distortion”.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen of content where the visualimpairment of “loss” is overlaid.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen of content representing “dialysistreatment for diabetic nephropathy”.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen of content representing “legamputation due to a gangrenous leg caused by neurological damage”.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen of content representing “advice forlifestyle habit improvement”.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Two Embodiments

Typically, the present invention is implemented in two embodiments. Afirst embodiment is a content-based one that preliminarily createsthree-dimensional virtual reality content taken from a viewpoint of aprotagonist in accordance with a scenario for providing experience of asymptom of a visual impairment caused by diabetes, such as diabeticretinopathy, and executes a filter process of simulating the visualimpairment during reproduction of the content, thereby allowing a userviewing the content from the viewpoint of the protagonist to experiencethe visual impairment. A second embodiment is based on forward videopictures, and causes a symptom of a visual impairment caused bydiabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, in an actual visual field of auser, obtains forward video pictures that represents a front scene to bein the visual field of the user at a position where the user currentlyresides, and applies a filter process of simulating a visual impairmentto the forward video pictures, thereby providing experience of thevisual impairment in real time through augmented reality. Note that partof or the entire these embodiments may be combined and executed. In thisDescription, the term “viewing” means that the user “views” at least avideo or an image, and the user's “listening” to audio or the like isnot necessarily required.

(Configuration of First Embodiment (Content-Based Virtual Reality VideoReproduction Apparatus))

Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, a virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention is described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic appearance ofthe virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100. In FIG. 3 ,components represented by broken lines are components that reside in themain body of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100, andcannot be viewed from the outside. FIG. 3 shows components indicated byreference numerals 101 to 106. The details of these components aredescribed later with reference to FIG. 1 . The virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 is an apparatus that allows the user to viewcontent for providing experience of a symptom of a visual impairmentcaused by diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, and subsequentlyallows the user to view content describing a lifestyle habit forpreventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatmenttherefor. Typically, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus100 is a mode of a virtual reality headset that is a head mount display(goggle) provided with an electronic display that displays a videorepresenting three-dimensional virtual reality. Typically, an attachmentband, such as a rubber band, is attached to the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100. The user attaches the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 so as to encircle and cover the eyes, andwinds the rubber band around the head, thereby attaching the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100 around the eyes.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100. The virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 includes a processor 101, a RAM 102, a memory103, an electronic display 104, a sensor 105, and an interface 106. Theprocessor 101 is a processing circuit for executing various functions ofcontrolling operations of the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 100, and typically, is a CPU that operates an informationapparatus, such as a computer. The RAM 102 is a temporary memory, and isused as a work area while the processor 101 operates. Typically, thememory 103 is a nonvolatile memory, such as a flash ROM, and storescomputer programs, and content data. The memory 103 stores a contentreproduction program 103 a and a filter process program 103 b, as thecomputer programs. Typically, an OS (operating system) is used when thecomputer program is executed. Functions by the OS are assumed to beincluded in functions by the processor 101 executing the computerprogram. The description thereof is herein omitted. The characteristicfunctions of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100according to the present invention are achieved by these computerprograms being executed by the processor 101 to form execution modulesin accordance with such functions. The processor 101 reads the contentreproduction program 103 a stored in the memory 103, and executes theprogram using the work area of the RAM 102, thereby executing operationsthat achieve various functions about content reproduction. As describedabove, a module is formed that functions as a content reproducer thatgenerates a virtual reality video representing virtual reality contentin view in a direction toward the front of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 (three-dimensional bearing). The processor101 reads the filter process program 103 b stored in the memory 103, andexecutes the program using the work area of the RAM 102, therebyexecuting a simulation of a visual impairment, for a screen included inthe virtual reality video. As described above, a module is formed thatfunctions as a filter processor that provides a function of displayingon the electronic display 104, by executing a filter process ofsimulating a predetermined visual impairment in a predetermined area ofimages included in the generated virtual reality video. Note that theterm “filter” in the filter process is what conceptually represents anoverall operation of intervening in original image data and applyingpredetermined image processing onto part of the data, with respect to aprocess that is for typical image displaying and transfers the imagesdata to the electronic display 104 to be displayed. Accordingly, theterm does not further limit this “image processing”. That is, the term“filter process” can be replaced with a term “process” when the imageprocessing is specifically identified.

The memory 103 stores, as content data, patient experience content data103 c and lifestyle habit description content data 103 d. The patientexperience content data 103 c is content data on a patient experiencevideo in accordance with a scenario for providing experience of a visualimpairment caused by diabetes. The lifestyle habit description contentdata 103 d is content data on a lifestyle habit description video thatincludes a description for improving a lifestyle habit to preventdiabetes and its worsening. The patient experience content data 103 cand the lifestyle habit description content data 103 d are virtualreality content data represented by video data on a 360-degree videoobtained by imaging an object using an omnidirectional camera or thelike from the viewpoint of a protagonist of the scenario of the contentin order to allow images in all the directions around the user to bereproduced. Here, the patient experience content data 103 c is datacharacterized by including at least imageable information that canprovide the user with a sense as if the user were experiencing a symptomof a visual impairment when a simulation of the visual impairment causedby diabetes is performed for a virtual reality video generated from thecontent data to allow the user to view the video. The lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d is data characterized by including atleast imageable information provided for the user to improve a lifestylehabit to prevent diabetes and its worsening when the user is allowed toview a virtual reality video generated from the content data. When thecontent is reproduced, the lifestyle habit description content data 103d is reproduced subsequent to the patient experience content data 103 c.The patient experience content data 103 c and the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d may be integrated data. Preferably, thepatient experience content data 103 c and the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d include audio data to be reproduced insynchronization with the video. The patient experience content data 103c may include scenario data for controlling the operation of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100, for instance, for activatingand stopping a predetermined process, such as a filter process of imagesat predetermined timing in synchronization with the video, when thecontent data is reproduced. Accordingly, the scenario of the contentallows a process of starting image processing of the simulation ofvisual impairment, for the virtual reality video, at timing when thevisual impairment of the protagonist starts in their field.

The electronic display 104 is a flat panel display, such as an LCD(liquid crystal display) or an organic EL display, and displays imagesof a video about content data that includes virtual reality content, forthe user wearing the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100around the eyes, through eyepieces arranged on the user side. When thedata of the images to be displayed is transferred to a data buffer areaof the electronic display 104, the electronic display 104 reads the dataof the images from the data buffer area, and displays the imagesrepresented by the data. Although not shown, the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 further includes a speaker for outputtingaudio in synchronization with the video, and a circuit that drives thespeaker.

The sensor 105 is a sensor for detecting the direction toward the frontof the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100, that is, thedirection of the line of sight of the user. The sensor 105 is a sensorthat detects the movement, position and direction, such as a gyroscopesensor, an acceleration sensor and a direction sensor. The interface 106is a user interface through which information, such as on an operationinstruction, is input from the user, and information representing theoperation state is output to the user, and includes, operation buttons,a remote controller interface, LEDs, and a circuit that drives thesecomponents.

(Content Data)

The patient experience video of the patient experience content data 103c includes virtual reality content for allowing the user to experience asymptom of a visual impairment caused by diabetes on the basis of thevirtual reality video where the simulation of visual impairment isexecuted. This is a virtual reality video taken from the viewpoint ofthe protagonist of the scenario of the content, and is, for example, a360-degree video allowing the user to view an object, such as the insideof a certain room, from the viewpoint of the protagonist sitting in theroom, in any direction. Here, a result of image processing thatrepresents the symptom of the visual impairment is not included in theoriginal video itself. If the result of image processing representingthe symptom of the visual impairment including, for example, “loss” ofthe visual field were included in the original video, the position ofthe visual impairment would be fixed at a specific position of theobject, such as the room. In this case, if the user moved the line ofsight, the position of the visual impairment to be moved accordinglywould not be moved. Accordingly, the user could not have a sense ofimmersion as if the user themself had the visual impairment. In order tosimulate the visual impairment, the simulation of a predetermined visualimpairment is executed for a predetermined area of images included inthe virtual reality video to be displayed on the electronic display,through the filter process, during reproduction of the video. Theexecution result is overlaid on the images. As described above, thepatient experience video of the patient experience content data 103 c isfor allowing the user to experience the symptom of the visual impairmenton the basis of the virtual reality video where the simulation of visualimpairment is executed, and has been taken in accordance with a scenariotherefor. The video is the virtual reality video. Accordingly, when theuser looks in any direction around themself, they can view images, suchas of the inside of a room corresponding to the direction. Execution ofa filter process of simulating the visual impairment during reproductionthereof allows the user to view the inside of the room in a state ofhaving the visual impairment. As described above, during reproduction ofthe patient experience video, a result of image processing of simulatingthe visual impairment appears in a manner of being overlaid on apredetermined position of the user's visual field. Accordingly, the usercan obtain a sense of immersion as if they had the visual impairment.The user can thus experience the state of having the visual impairmentwith a sense of reality. Preferably, the degree of the simulated visualimpairment does not represent a state where the visual impairmentdevelops immediately after start of reproduction of the content, but issuch that the visual impairment starts in a predetermined period duringreproduction and gradually develops to a predetermined degree. That is,preferably, the filter process includes a process of enhancing theeffect of the simulation of visual impairment in a predetermined periodduring which the virtual reality video is displayed. According to such aconfiguration, unnaturalness due to abrupt occurrence of the visualimpairment after start of reproduction of the content can be resolved,and the user can be strongly impressed by seriousness of development ofthe symptom after start of the visual impairment. As a specificscenario, a story is conceivable that the visual impairment starts whena patient as a protagonist views the television, the impairmentgradually develops and comes into the state of a considerable degree ofthe visual impairment, and the protagonist becomes aware of the visualimpairment and embarrassed.

The patient experience content data 103 c may additionally includevirtual reality content that provides experience of impairments due toother typical complications of diabetes, such as dialysis treatment fordiabetic nephropathy, and leg amputation due to a gangrenous leg causedby neurological damage. The scenario of dialysis treatment for diabeticnephropathy can provide, for example, a virtual reality video from theviewpoint of the protagonist siting on a chair, and use contentrepresenting a state where when they look in the direction of their arm,an dialysis device is attached to the arm. Note that in this case, thefilter process for the images is not necessarily required. The scenarioof leg amputation due to a gangrenous leg caused by neurological damagecan provide, for example, a virtual reality video from the viewpoint ofthe protagonist sitting on a bed, and use content representing a statewhere when they look in the direction of their leg, the leg is lost byamputation. Note that also in this case, the filter process for theimages is not necessarily required. Such additional content can furtherstrongly impress the user with seriousness of complications of diabeteswith a sense of immersion.

The lifestyle habit description video of the lifestyle habit descriptioncontent data 103 d is a video that provides advice for lifestyle habitimprovement for the sake of preventing diabetes, preventing developmentthereof, or treatment therefor, preventing development thereof,treatment and the like. This is also a virtual reality video taken fromthe viewpoint of the protagonist of the scenario of the content, and isa 360-degree video allowing the user to view an object in any directionfrom the viewpoint of the protagonist. Through the lifestyle habitdescription video, for example, advice is provided that includes eatingcalorie-controlled food, restricting between-meal eating, appropriateexercise, and taking drugs as prescribed. A scenario may be of a modewhere a conversation about lifestyle habit improvement is started withthe protagonist as the person of the viewpoint, and the protagonistreplies thereto. As a specific scenario, a style is conceivable wherethe protagonist sees a doctor in their office, and the doctor givesadvice to the protagonist. A scenario or the like is also conceivablewhere the protagonist takes advice on food and medication during eatingwith their family at home, and takes advice by their family on exercise,for example, how about exercising together. As described above, thelifestyle habit description video of the lifestyle habit descriptioncontent data 103 d is for describing a lifestyle habit for preventingdiabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor, and hasbeen taken in accordance with a scenario therefor. The lifestyle habitdescription video is thus provided through virtual reality, which allowsthe user to take appropriate advice for preventing diabetes, preventingdevelopment thereof, or treatment therefor as if they were advised onsite with a sense of immersion.

(Visual Impairment Filter Process)

As filter processes of simulating visual impairments, for example,processes of executing types of simulation of “loss”, “blearedness”,“blurredness”, “distortion” and the like may be used. FIGS. 7 to 10 showchange in visual field due to various visual impairments throughdeformation of a lattice pattern. In the filter process, throughreproduction of the patient experience content data 103 c, imageprocessing is executed for data on each image deployed on the RAM 102 orthe like in every screen refresh cycle, by the processor 101manipulating pixel data, thereby executing image processing to deformthe original image.

The filter process of a simulation of visual impairment of “loss” is togenerate a “loss” effect of darkening a predetermined area including,for example, the center and therearound of images included in thevirtual reality video. FIG. 7 shows a state where the filter process ofsimulating the visual impairment of “loss” has been applied to a latticepattern image. The simulation of visual impairment of “loss” generates adark “loss” area having a shape of a circle or the like at the partwhere the visual impartment is assumed to occur, such as around thecenter or the like, for example, of the images included in the virtualreality video. Specifically, for example, the process of “loss”provides, on the RAM 102, a memory area (layer) for another image havingthe same screen resolution as the image to be image-processed, andarranges pixels having low values (luminances), such as of black or darkgray, in a predetermined area to which the “loss” process is to beapplied on the layer, while arranging white pixels in the other areas,to thereby prepare a layer for the “loss” process, and executescomputation, such as multiplication and comparative dark composition,for pixels of the image to be image-processed, with the respectivepixels on the layer for the “loss” process at the same positions,thereby reducing the luminances. The degree of reduction in luminance,which is the degree of the effect of the simulation, can be defined bythe lower degree of luminances of the pixels on the layer for the “loss”process. Note that it is preferable to perform a process where reductionin values of pixels around the center of the “loss” area on the layerfor the “loss” process significantly reduces the luminances of pixelsaround the center of the “loss” area of the image to be image-processedto achieve further darkening, and gradual reduction in degree ofreduction of luminances with approaching the periphery of the “loss”area obscures the boundary. Accordingly, the visual impairment of “loss”where the center and the like of the visual field is dark and the objectis difficult to view is simulated.

Preferably, a predetermined period during content reproduction includesa period where the visual impairment occurs and the degree thereofgradually develops. To achieve this, the filter process performs aprocess that does not perform the image processing at all at thebeginning, starts the simulation of visual impairment in a predeterminedperiod during displaying of the virtual reality video, and increases theeffect up to a predetermined intensity. Here, increase in the effect ofthe simulation of visual impairment can be achieved by enlarging thearea of the visual impairment, increasing the amount of application ofdeformation representing the visual impairment, or combination thereof.The process of causing and increasing the effect of the simulation ofvisual impairment as described above is also applicable to the othertypes of visual impairments. The number of types of visual impairmentsto be simulated during content reproduction is not limited to one.Alternatively, multiple types of visual impairments may be sequentiallysimulated. Further alternatively, visual impairments where multipletypes of visual impairments are combined may be simulated.

The filter process of a simulation of visual impairment of “blearedness”is to generate a “blearedness” effect of blearing a predetermined areaincluding, for example, the center and therearound of images included inthe virtual reality video. FIG. 8 shows a state where the filter processof simulating the visual impairment of “blearedness” has been applied toa lattice pattern image. The filter process of the simulation of visualimpairment of “blearedness” adds random noise to pixels in apredetermined area including the center and therearound of imagesincluded in the virtual reality video. Specifically, the process of“blearedness” can be executed by replacing pixels at random positions inthe predetermined area to be processed, with pixels having relativelyhigh luminances, such as of white or light gray, for example. Theprocess of “blearedness” may be executed by providing, on the RAM 102, amemory area (layer) for another image having the same screen resolutionas the image to be image-processed, and arranges, as noise, white orlight gray pixels at random positions in a predetermined area to whichthe “blearedness” process is to be applied to thereby prepare a layerfor the “blearedness” process, and executing computation, such ascomparative bright composition, for pixels of the image to beimage-processed, with the respective pixels on the layer for the“blearedness” process at the same positions. The degree of intensity of“blearedness”, which is the degree of the effect of the simulation, canbe defined by the intensities of pixels to be added as noise, theluminances of noise pixels and the like. The pixels to be added as noisemay be those having a predetermined value (luminance) or those havingvalues varying in a certain range. Note that to suppress the granularityof noise, an obscuring process with a relatively small application range(about several pixels) may be performed after application of noise. Thesimulation of visual impairment of “blearedness” generates a“blearedness” area having a shape of a circle or the like at the partwhere the visual impartment is assumed to occur, such as around thecenter or the like, for example, of the image of the virtual realityvideo. The process of obscuring the boundaries is then performed byincreasing the density of noise to be added to the center andtherearound of the “blearedness” area to thereby apply strongblearedness to the center and therearound, and by reducing the densityof noise as going outward in the “blearedness” area. Accordingly, thevisual impairment of “blearedness” where the center and the like of thevisual field is bleared and the object is difficult to view issimulated.

The filter process of a simulation of visual impairment of “blurredness”is to generate a “blurredness” effect of blurring a predetermined areaincluding the center and therearound of images included in the virtualreality video. FIG. 9 shows a state where the filter process ofsimulating the visual impairment of “blurredness” has been applied to alattice pattern image. The filter process of the simulation of visualimpairment of “blurredness” executes the “obscuring” process, such as ofGaussian obscuring, for the pixels in the predetermined area including,for example, the center and therearound of the image included in thevirtual reality video. Specifically, the Gaussian obscuring process canbe executed by smoothing the individual pixels in the predetermined areato be processed, with weighting decreasing with increase in distancebased on a Gaussian distribution for multiple pixels close to the pixelsconcerned in the application range of the process (replacement withaverage values of what are obtained by multiplying close pixels in theprocess application range and weights thereof). The degree of intensityof “blurredness”, which is the degree of the effect of the simulation,can be defined by the application range of the obscuring process and thelike. The simulation of visual impairment of “blurredness” generates a“blurredness” area having a shape of a circle or the like at the partwhere the visual impairment is assumed to occur, such as around thecenter or the like, for example, of the image of the virtual realityvideo. The process of obscuring the boundaries is performed byperforming the strong obscuring process at the center and therearound ofthe “blurredness” area to achieve obscuring, and by reducing the degreeof the obscuring process as going outward in the “blurredness” area.Accordingly, the visual impairment of “blurredness” where the center andthe like of the visual field are blurred and the object is difficult toview is simulated.

The filter process of a simulation of visual impairment of “distortion”is to generate a “distortion” effect of distorting a predetermined areaincluding, for example, the center and therearound of images included inthe virtual reality video. FIG. 10 shows a state where the filterprocess of simulating the visual impairment of “distortion” has beenapplied to a lattice pattern image. The filter process of simulating thevisual impartment of “distortion” executes a distortion process ofmoving the pixels in a predetermined area including, for example, thecenter and therearound of the virtual reality video in random directionsby random amounts of movement. Specifically, the “distortion” processcan be executed by a process and the like of moving the individualpixels in the predetermined area to be processed in random movingdirections by random amounts of movement so as not to be largelydifferent in moving directions and amounts of movement from close pixels(details of the original image remain at least partially); moving isreplacement of values of the pixels at movement destinations with valuesof the pixels to be moved. The degree of intensity of “distortion”,which is the degree of the effect of the simulation can be defined bythe amounts of movement of pixels and by randomness of the movingdirections. The simulation of visual impairment of “distortion”generates a “distortion” area having a shape of a circle or the like atthe part where the visual impairment is assumed to occur, such as aroundthe center or the like, for example, of the virtual reality video. Theprocess of obscuring the boundaries is performed by largely distortingthe center and therearound of the “distortion” area through increase inamounts of movement of pixels, while reducing the amounts of movement ofpixels to reduce the degree of distortion process as going outward inthe “distortion” area. Accordingly, the visual impairment of“distortion” where the center and the like of the visual field isdistorted and the object is difficult to view is simulated.

(Operation of First Embodiment (Content-Based Virtual Reality VideoReproduction Apparatus))

Next, the operation of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus100 is described. FIG. 5 is an operation flow diagram of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment. When an instruction for content reproduction is input, thevirtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 first reads video dataon the patient experience content data 103 c and generates the virtualreality video, through the operation of the content reproducer formed byexecution of the content reproduction program 103 a (step S101). Thatis, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 sequentiallyreads, from the memory 103, a series of images of the 360-degree videoof the patient experience video of the patient experience content data103 c, decodes the images if they are encoded video data, takes data onthe images constituting the video, and deploys the data on the RAM 102.The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 takes, from thedata on decoded images, an area of the images to be viewed in thedirection toward the front of the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 100 detected by the sensor 105 (direction of the user's lineof sight), thereby generating the images constituting the virtualreality video that provides the user with a view as if the user viewingthe video felt on site in a three-dimensional space. At this time, ifnecessary, the coordinates of individual pixels are transformed in orderto transform the images constituting the 360-degree video on the basisof appropriate perspective centered on the position of the direction ofthe line of sight of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus100, so as to achieve images with a natural sense of perspective whenthe electronic display 104 is viewed through the eyepieces. As describedabove, the virtual reality video is generated by generating, one afteranother, images obtained by capturing an area to be displayed on theelectronic display 104 from images obtained by transforming the imagesconstituting the 360-degree video of the patient experience content data103 c on the basis of appropriate perspective centered on a position inthe line of sight of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus100.

Next, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 applies thefilter process to the virtual reality video through the operation of thefilter processor formed by execution of the filter process program 103b, and causes the electronic display 104 to display the video (stepS102). That is, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100applies the filter process of applying the visual impairment of “loss”,“blearedness”, “blurredness” or “distortion” to each of the imagesconstituting the virtual reality video generated and deployed on the RAM102 in step S101, thereby generating the virtual reality video where thesymptom of the visual impairment is overlaid. Typically, the number oftypes of visual impairments to be simulated is, for example, one, whichis of “loss”. Alternatively, multiple types of visual impairments may besequentially simulated. Further alternatively, visual impairments wheremultiple types of visual impairments are combined may be simulated. Thatis, the symptoms of types of visual impairments may be simultaneouslysimulated in the same area or a different area of the image (including acase where areas overlap with each other). As described above, thefilter process is applied to the pixels constituting the area of theimages where the visual impairment is to be caused such that for “loss”the values (luminances) of pixels are reduced, for “blearedness” noiseof pixels at random positions are added, for “blurredness” the Gaussianobscuring process is applied to the pixels, and for “distortion” thepixels are moved in random moving directions by random amounts ofmovement. The filter process is applied to the predetermined area of theimage of the virtual reality video. The predetermined area of the imagemay be a circular area including the center and therearound of theimage, for example. In this case, a state is simulated where a circulararea of the visual impairment is at the center of the visual field. Thepredetermined area may deviate from the center. In this case, a state issimulated where the visual impairment is in an area deviating from thecenter of the visual field. The filter-processed data on the images ofthe virtual reality video is transferred to the data buffer area of theelectronic display 104, and the electronic display 104 reads anddisplays the data every refresh cycle. The user views the virtualreality video displayed on the electronic display 104 through theeyepieces, thereby viewing the object imaged in the virtual realitycontent as if the user viewed the object in their line of sight.Accordingly, the user gets an impression as if the object were in front.FIG. 11 shows an example of a content image where the visual impairmentof “loss” is caused by the filter process at the center of the visualfield of the protagonist talking with the family.

Preferably, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100increases the effect of the simulation of visual impairment in thefilter process through the operation of the filter processor formed byexecution of the filter process program 103 b. The filter processor doesnot start the simulation of the visual impairment until predeterminedtiming during reproduction of the patient experience video of thepatient experience content data 103 c, and causes the visual impairmentthrough the simulation at timing when the protagonist starts to be awareof the visual impairment along the scenario of the patient experiencevideo, and gradually increases the effect to a predetermined intensity.Accordingly, the visual impairment can be caused at appropriate timingin the scenario. The user can be impressed with a process of developingtheir visual impairment, thus being strongly impressed. The effect ofthe simulation of visual impairment can be increased by enhancing thearea of the visual impairment, by increasing the amount of applicationof deformation representing the visual impairment for the image (for“loss” the degree of reducing the values (luminances) of pixels, for“blearedness” the intensity of noise of pixels at the random positionsto be added to the pixels and the luminances of the noise pixels, for“blurredness” the application range of Gaussian obscuring, and for“distortion” the amount of movement of pixels), or by combinationthereof. When the area of the visual impairment is enlarged, theenlarged area may have an irregular shape in order to provide a strongerimpression. This also corresponds to increase in the effect ofsimulation of visual impairment. The scenario data that includes thestart timing of the simulation of visual impairment, the period duringwhich the effect of the simulation of visual impairment is increased,and the method of increasing the effect of the simulation of visualimpairment may be included in the patient experience content data 103 c,or held as other data different from the patient experience content data103 c.

The patient experience content data 103 c may include not only thevisual impairment but also content representing dialysis treatment fordiabetic nephropathy as shown in FIG. 12 , and content representing legamputation due to a gangrenous leg caused by neurological damage asshown in FIG. 13 . No filter process is applied to these images.However, during content reproduction, the content representing a leg oran arm having such a symptom can be seen in the case of viewing in thedirection of their own leg or arm. Accordingly, an effect is exertedthat provides an impression that the complications of diabetes rangewidely and are serious.

The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 always monitorswhether the reproduction of video data on the patient experience contentdata 103 c is finished or not through the operation of the contentreproducer formed by execution of the content reproduction program 103a. If not finished, the processing in the flow is returned to step S101,and the filter-processed virtual reality video of the patient experiencecontent data 103 c is continuously displayed. If finished, theprocessing in the flow proceeds to the next step S104 (step S103). Dataidentifying the time of finish of the patient experience content data103 c may be included in the patient experience content data 103 c, orheld as other data different therefrom. The user views the patientexperience video where the visual impairment is simulated throughreproduction of the patient experience content data 103 c, and canexperience the symptom of visual impairment caused by diabetes with asense of immersion. Note that step S104 and thereafter indicatereproduction of the lifestyle habit description content data 103 d. Ifonly experience of the symptom of the visual impairment caused bydiabetes is intended, step S104 and thereafter are not necessarilyrequired.

When reproduction of the patient experience content data 103 c isfinished through the operation of the content reproducer formed byexecution of the content reproduction program 103 a, the virtual realityvideo reproduction apparatus 100 reads the video data of the lifestylehabit description content data 103 d, generates the virtual realityvideo and causes the electronic display 104 to display the video (stepS104). That is, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100sequentially reads, from the memory 103, a series of images of the360-degree video of the lifestyle habit description video of thelifestyle habit description content data 103 d. If the images areencoded video data, this apparatus decodes the data, takes data on theimages constituting the video, and deploys the data on the RAM 102. Thevirtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 takes, from the data ondecoded images, an area of the images to be viewed in the directiontoward the front of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100detected by the sensor 105 (direction of the user's line of sight), andperforms deformation (coordinate transformation) based on appropriateperspective, thereby generating the images constituting the virtualreality video that provides the user with a view as if the user viewingthe video felt on site in a three-dimensional space. The data on theimages are transferred to the data buffer area of the electronic display104, and is displayed.

The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100 always monitorswhether the reproduction of video data on the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d is finished or not through the operationof the content reproducer formed by execution of the contentreproduction program 103 a. If not finished, the processing in the flowis returned to step S104, and the virtual reality video of the lifestylehabit description content data 103 d is continuously displayed. Iffinished, displaying of the virtual reality video is finished (stepS105). Data identifying the time of finish of the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d may be included in the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d, or held as other data differenttherefrom. FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen of content thatrepresents a situation where advice is taken from the family as advicefor lifestyle habit improvement.

The user views the content of the patient experience video thatsimulates the visual impairment through reproduction of the patientexperience content data 103 c, experiences the symptom of thecomplication of diabetes with a sense of immersion, and subsequentlyviews the content of the lifestyle habit description video throughreproduction of the lifestyle habit description content data 103 d.Accordingly, the user is strongly motivated to take advice for improvinga lifestyle habit for the sake of preventing diabetes, preventingdevelopment, treatment and the like provided through the lifestyle habitdescription video of the lifestyle habit description content data 103 d.Accordingly, the method of allowing the user to view the content of thepatient experience content data 103 c and the lifestyle habitdescription content data 103 d provided by the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 can function not only as awareness buildingfor lifestyle habit improvement but also as a diabetes preventing methodand a treatment method.

(Configuration of Second Embodiment (Virtual Reality Video ReproductionApparatus Based on Forward Video Pictures))

Next, a virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 according tothe second embodiment of the present invention is described. The virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 200 according to the secondembodiment includes some components similar to those of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment. Such similar components are represented by reference symbolswith hundreds place digits of “1” being replaced with “2”. Descriptionof components of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200that have identical components, functions and the like of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 100 is appropriately omitted. FIG.4 shows a schematic appearance of the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 200. The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 isan apparatus that allows the user to view the augmented reality videosimulating a state of occurrence of the visual impairment in the user'svisual field in real time, and subsequently allows the user to view thecontent of description of a lifestyle habit for preventing diabetes,preventing development thereof, or treatment therefor. Typically, thevirtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 is a mode of a virtualreality headset that is a head mount display (goggle) provided with anelectronic display that displays a video representing athree-dimensional virtual reality.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 200. The virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 200 includes a processor 201, a RAM 202, a memory203, an electronic display 204, a sensor 205, an interface 206, and acamera 207. The processor 201, the RAM 202, the memory 203, theelectronic display 204, the sensor 205 and the interface 206 havefunctions similar to those of the processor 101, the RAM 102, the memory103, the electronic display 104, the sensor 105 and the interface 106.In the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200, content datastored in the memory 203 and the camera 207 are different from those inthe virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100. Accordingly, thesecomponents are described below.

The memory 203 stores, as content data, patient experience audio contentdata 203 c and lifestyle habit description content data 203 d. Thepatient experience audio content data 203 c is content data on patientexperience audio describing the visual impairment caused by diabetes onthe basis of forward video pictures where a simulation of visualimpairment is executed. The lifestyle habit description content data 203d is content data on a lifestyle habit description video that includes adescription for a lifestyle habit to prevent diabetes and its worsening.As described above, the lifestyle habit description content data 203 dis content data of a lifestyle habit description video similar to thelifestyle habit description content data 103 d in the first embodiment.However, the patient experience audio content data 203 c is differentfrom the patient experience content data 103 c in the first embodiment,and is audio content data instead of a video. The patient experienceaudio content data 203 c is content data on patient experience audiothat is obtained by simulating a symptom of visual impairment due todiabetes and overlaying the symptom on the forward video picturesrepresenting the user's front scene, thereby guiding, through audio,development of a scenario for providing experience in real time throughaugmented reality. Here, the patient experience audio content data 203 cis data characterized by including at least audio information thatprovides guidance of development of the scenario such that the user canbe provided with a sense as if the user were experiencing the symptom ofvisual impairment when the simulation of the visual impairment caused bydiabetes is performed for the forward video pictures to allow the userto view the video. The patient experience audio content data 203 c mayfurther include audio information for providing guidance for a behaviorto provide an actual sense of visual impairment. When the patientexperience audio content data 203 c is reproduced, the patientexperience audio is reproduced and output from a speaker, the forwardvideo pictures representing the front scene to be in the user's visualfield at a place where the user currently resides (unlike the firstembodiment, the taken content-based patient experience video is notreproduced) is obtained through the camera 207. The filter process ofsimulating the visual impairment is applied to the forward videopictures. The user is allowed to view the filter-processed image,thereby overlaying the visual impairment in the user's actual visualfield in real time to provide the user with experience as augmentedreality. That is, the filter process in the second embodiment is appliedto the forward video pictures instead of the patient experience video asthe virtual reality video in the first embodiment. Note that the forwardvideo pictures represent the actual visual range of the user wearing thevirtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200. Accordingly, in termsof the three-dimensional video pictures (video) providing a sense as ifthe user were on site, the forward video pictures are conceivable as atype of a virtual reality video. The patient experience audio contentdata 203 c does not necessarily require preliminarily taken videocontent. Specifically, the content of the patient experience audio ofthe patient experience audio content data 203 c is data on guidanceaudio that includes a description of the visual impairment caused bydiabetes, guidance of development of the scenario of starting thesimulation of visual impairment for the own visual field represented bythe forward video pictures, and guidance of a behavior providing anactual sense of the visual impairment such as looking around while thevisual impairment is simulated on the forward video pictures, duringtheir reproduction. Similar to the patient experience content data 103c, virtual reality content taken in accordance with a scenario can becombined and reproduced. The patient experience audio content data 203 cmay include scenario data for controlling the operation of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 200 for activating and stopping apredetermined process, such as a filter process at predetermined timing,when the content data is reproduced. Accordingly, in accordance with thescenario of the content, at timing when guidance of starting thesimulation in the own visual field is provided through audio, the imageprocessing of simulation of visual impairment can be started for theforward video pictures, and the effect is gradually increased to apredetermined intensity, and at timing when the effect becomes thepredetermined intensity, guidance for looking around can be providedthrough audio.

The camera 207 is configured by combining a lens with an imagingelement, such as a CMOS image sensor, and has a configuration ofsequentially outputting data representing the images of the front sceneimage-formed on the imaging element every scanning time period, therebyoutputting data representing the forward video pictures (front scenevideo). The camera 207 is attached to an upper part of an frontmost partof the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 to be orientedforward so as to capture the forward scene of the imaging object in theangle of view. The data on the forward video pictures is temporarilydeployed on the RAM 202.

(Operation of Second Embodiment (Virtual Reality Video ReproductionApparatus Based on Forward Video Pictures))

Next, the operation of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus200 is described. FIG. 6 is an operation flow diagram of the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 200 according to the secondembodiment. The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200according to the second embodiment has operations similar orcorresponding to those of the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Such similar orcorresponding operations are represented by reference symbols withhundreds place digits of “1” being replaced with “2”. Description of thesame operations of the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200as the corresponding operations of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100 is appropriately omitted.

When an instruction for content reproduction is input into the virtualreality video reproduction apparatus 200, the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 200 first reads audio data on the patientexperience audio content data 203 c from the memory 203 through acontent reproducer formed by execution of a content reproduction program203 a, reproduces guidance audio represented by the data, outputs theaudio from the speaker or the like, and obtains video picture data(video data) on the forward video pictures representing the front sceneobtained by the camera 207 (step S201). When the image of video picturedata is displayed on the electronic display 204 with a correct scale,the natural image is provided to allow the user viewing the image tofeel a sense of perspective as if the user were on site. The obtainedvideo picture data is temporarily deployed on the RAM 202.

Next, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 applies thefilter process to the obtained forward video picture data through theoperation of the filter processor formed by execution of the filterprocess program 203 b, and causes the electronic display 204 to displaythe video (step S202). That is, the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 200 applies the filter process of simulating the visualimpairment of “loss”, “blearedness”, “blurredness”, “distortion” or thelike to each of the images constituting the forward video picturesobtained and deployed on the RAM 202 in step S201, thereby generatingthe forward video pictures where the symptom of the visual impairment isoverlaid, and transferring the pictures to the data buffer area of theelectronic display 204 to be displayed. The type of the filter process,and the process for executing the process are the same as thosedescribed with respect to the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 100. Accordingly, the visual impairment is simulated in theactual visual field of the user themself. Consequently, the viewing useris allowed to experience the visual impairment through augmentedreality. Likewise with the description of the virtual reality videoreproduction apparatus 100, the simulation of visual impairment may bestarted in the predetermined period during displaying, and the processof enhancing the effect may be performed. Likewise with the descriptionof the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 100, the multipletypes of visual impairments may be sequentially simulated, and thevisual impairments where the multiple types of visual impairments areoverlaid may be simulated.

The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 always monitorswhether the reproduction of the audio data on the patient experienceaudio content data 203 c is finished or not through the operation of thecontent reproducer formed by execution of the content reproductionprogram 203 a. If not finished, the processing in the flow is returnedto step S201, and the reproduction of the guidance audio of the patientexperience audio content data 203 c, and displaying of thefilter-processed forward video pictures are continued. If finished, theprocessing in the flow proceeds to the next step S204 (step S203). Theuser views the forward video pictures where the visual impairment issimulated through reproduction of the patient experience audio contentdata 203 c in their visual field with guidance audio thereof, and canexperience the symptom of visual impairment caused by diabetes with asense of immersion. Note that step S204 and thereafter indicatereproduction of the lifestyle habit description content data 203 d. Ifonly experience of the symptom of the visual impairment caused bydiabetes is intended, step S204 and thereafter are not necessarilyrequired.

When reproduction of the audio data of the patient experience audiocontent data 203 c is finished through the operation of the contentreproducer formed by execution of the content reproduction program 203a, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatus 200 reads the videodata on the lifestyle habit description content data 203 d, generatesthe virtual reality video and causes the electronic display 204 todisplay the video (step S204). The virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 200 always monitors whether the reproduction of video data onthe lifestyle habit description content data 203 d is finished or notthrough the operation of the content reproducer formed by execution ofthe content reproduction program 203 a. If not finished, the processingin the flow is returned to step S204, and virtual reality video of thelifestyle habit description content data 203 d is continuouslydisplayed. If finished, displaying of the virtual reality video isfinished (step S205). The user views the forward video pictures wherethe visual impairment is simulated by reproduction of the patientexperience audio content data 203 c and the filter processing for theforward video pictures, experiences the symptom of the visual impairmentcaused by diabetes as their own symptom in real time through augmentedreality with a sense of immersion, and subsequently views the lifestylehabit description video through reproduction of the lifestyle habitdescription content data 203 d through virtual reality with a sense ofimmersion. Accordingly, the user is strongly motivated to take advicefor improving a lifestyle habit for the sake of preventing diabetes,preventing development, treatment and the like provided through thelifestyle habit description video of the lifestyle habit descriptioncontent data 203 d. As described above, the method of allowing the userto view the content provided by the virtual reality video reproductionapparatus 200 can function not only as awareness building for lifestylehabit improvement but also as a diabetes preventing method and atreatment method.

(Characteristics of Simulation of Visual Impairment Common to First andSecond Embodiments)

The first embodiment and the second embodiment have thus been describedabove. These embodiments are different from each other in that thethree-dimensional video where the simulation of visual impairment isexecuted is the virtual reality video that represents the virtualreality content preliminarily imaged in the first embodiment, and theforward video pictures through augmented reality representing the frontscene to be in the visual field of the user in the second embodiment.However, these embodiments are common in that the embodiments have theconfiguration where the simulation of visual impairment is executed forthe three-dimensional video providing the user with a sense as if theywere on site, and the execution is overlaid on the original video.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed above. The configuration elements or information processing inthe disclosed embodiments can be combined, deformed or omitted in arange of the technical thought of the present invention, and can beexecuted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The apparatus of the present invention allows the user to experience thevisual impairment caused by diabetes through virtual reality oraugmented reality, thereby strongly impressing potential patients withthe seriousness of diabetes with a sense of immersion. Accordingly, inthe field of the virtual reality technology or augmented realitytechnology, medicine or preventive medicine, in order to preventdiabetes, the apparatus can be widely used for allowing the potentialpatients to be aware of diabetes. In the case where the user experiencesthe visual impairment caused by diabetes through virtual reality oraugmented reality and subsequently views the content of advice forlifestyle habit improvement through virtual reality, the method of usingthe apparatus of the present invention can be used as the diabetespreventing method or treatment method in the fields of medicine andpreventive medicine.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100: Virtual reality video reproduction apparatus-   101: Processor-   102: RAM-   103: Memory-   103 a: Content reproduction program-   103 b: Filter process program-   103 c: Patient experience content data-   103 d: Lifestyle habit description content data-   104: Electronic display-   105: Sensor-   106: Interface-   200: Virtual reality video reproduction apparatus-   201: Processor-   202: RAM-   203: Memory-   203 a: Content reproduction program-   203 b: Filter process program-   203 c: Patient experience audio content data-   203 d: Lifestyle habit description content data-   204: Electronic display-   205: Sensor-   206: Interface-   207: Camera

1. A virtual reality video reproduction apparatus, comprising: a memorythat stores content data including virtual reality content; a virtualreality headset that includes an electronic display for displaying avirtual reality video about the content data; a content reproducer thatgenerates a virtual reality video that represents the virtual realitycontent, from the content data; and a filter processor that executes afilter process of applying a predetermined image processing to apredetermined area of at least part of images of the virtual realityvideo generated, and causes the electronic display to display the video,wherein the filter process executes, as the predetermined imageprocessing, a simulation of a visual impairment caused by diabetes,wherein the virtual reality content is patient experience content takenin accordance with a scenario for providing experience of a symptom ofthe visual impairment caused by diabetes, based on the virtual realityvideo where the simulation of the visual impairment is executed, andwherein the virtual reality content includes lifestyle habit descriptioncontent taken in accordance with a scenario describing a lifestyle habitfor preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, or treatmenttherefor, after the patient experience content.
 2. The virtual realityvideo reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filterprocess executes the simulation in which an effect of the simulation isenhanced to a predetermined intensity such that the visual impairmentstarts and gradually develops to a predetermined degree.
 3. The virtualreality video reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thefilter process executes the simulation of the visual impairment of loss,by darkening the predetermined area of the at least part of the images.4. The virtual reality video reproduction apparatus according to claim1, wherein the filter process executes the simulation of the visualimpairment of blearedness, by blearing the predetermined area of the atleast part of the images.
 5. The virtual reality video reproductionapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter process executes thesimulation of the visual impairment of blurredness, by blurring thepredetermined area of the at least part of the images.
 6. The virtualreality video reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thefilter process executes the simulation of the visual impairment ofdistortion, by distorting the predetermined area of the at least part ofthe images.
 7. A method of using a virtual reality video reproductionapparatus, for preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof, ortreatment therefor, the virtual reality video reproduction apparatuscomprising: a virtual reality headset that includes an electronicdisplay for displaying a video about virtual reality content; and afilter processor that executes a filter process of executing asimulation of the visual impairment caused by diabetes for apredetermined area of at least part of images of a virtual reality videorepresenting the virtual reality content, and causes the electronicdisplay to display the video, wherein the method comprises a step of:reproducing, accompanied by the filter process, patient experiencecontent that is the virtual reality content taken in accordance with ascenario for providing experience of a symptom of the visual impairmentcaused by diabetes, based on the virtual reality video where thesimulation of the visual impairment is executed, and causing theelectronic display to display the patient experience content, andreproducing lifestyle habit description content that is the virtualreality content taken in accordance with a scenario describing alifestyle habit for preventing diabetes, preventing development thereof,or treatment therefor, after reproducing the patient experience content,and causing the electronic display to display the lifestyle habitdescription content.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein thefilter process executes the simulation in which an effect of thesimulation is enhanced to a predetermined intensity such that the visualimpairment starts and gradually develops to a predetermined degree. 9.The method according to claim 7, wherein the filter process executes thesimulation of the visual impairment of loss, by darkening thepredetermined area of the at least part of the images.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the filter process executes the simulationof the visual impairment of blearedness, by blearing the predeterminedarea of the at least part of the images.
 11. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the filter process executes the simulation of thevisual impairment of blurredness, by blurring the predetermined area ofthe at least part of the images.
 12. The method according to claim 7,wherein the filter process executes the simulation of the visualimpairment of distortion, by distorting the predetermined area of the atleast part of the images.